A hiker experiencing a medical emergency was rescued Saturday afternoon from the Billy Goat Trail, located along the C&O Canal, in Montgomery County and airlifted to a nearby hospital, according to emergency response officials.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service crews responded to a call around 1:15 p.m. and located the hiker in Section A, considered the most physically demanding part of the trail. Temperatures at the time were in the low 90s with high humidity, intensifying the risk of heat-related emergencies in general. Due to the hiker’s condition and the remote location, the U.S. Park Police’s Eagle 1 helicopter was dispatched for an aerial evacuation. The hiker was hoisted out and transported as a Priority 2 patient, indicating a potentially serious condition requiring timely medical attention, according to MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer.
No additional information about the hiker’s identity or condition has been released.
National Park Service Rangers have shared the following safety precautions online to encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions when venturing out on hot, humid days this summer:
- Bring and drink plenty of water
- Wear light, breathable clothing
- Hike during cooler hours of the day, closer to sunrise or sunset.
- Be aware of your physical limits
- Avoid the trail’s most strenuous sections on days of extreme weather conditions
- On Saturday, a hiker was airlifted from the Billy Goat Trail. Montgomery County first responders found them in the 90º heat in the “most demanding” section of the Trail.
For more safety information, visit MCM’s hike safety and heat safety guides.
